DHEC's Health and Environment Blog

World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week offers a perfect time to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding.

The annual observance, coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, runs through Saturday. This year’s theme “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make It Work!” focuses on supporting women who work and breastfeed. Whether a mother works in a formal, non-formal or home setting, she needs to feel empowered in her choice to breastfeed as it improves health for women and children.

Breastfeeding reduces a mom’s risk of:

Breast and ovarian cancer

Postpartum depression

Iron deficiency

Breastfeeding protects a baby from:

Ear infections

Diarrhea and other stomach issues

Allergies

Asthma

Bone loss later in life

It also reduces risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes and obesity.

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for moms, babies and children that also provides breastfeeding support and assistance. Breastfeeding peer counselors are available in WIC clinics throughout South Carolina. Find your nearest WIC location here.

This week DHEC health departments statewide are celebrating the observance with a variety of activities including displays, pump demonstrations, classes and activities designed to educate all employees and customers about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Learn more here about how WIC can help with breastfeeding. For general information about the benefits of breastfeeding, visit this page.